The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1887-02-10

Our last lesson closed with Lot Abrams
nephew, choosing the plain of Jordan as his
abiding place, and Abram going to Canaan.
After the separation the Lord said unto Abram
that he would make his decendents as The dust
of the earth-numberless, and also give him all
the possessions within the range of his vision.
The people of Sodom were very wicked and dis
pleasing in the sight of the Lord After some
warlilxe experiences, the cities of the plain were
captured by invading army from Elan, and
Lot and his family carried into captivity, with
all the spoils of war. When the Ela1nites took
their captives and departed, one escaped and
told Abram of the misfortune of his relative.
Collecting together his slaves and followers, he
pursued the common enemy-for he made the
cause of his nephew his own-and, attacking
them in the night season, defeated them and
brought back his relative with the plunder that
had been carried away,
On his return be was blessed by MechiZedek,
priest King of Sodom, who called down the
blessing of God upon the great and good kbram.
The King of Sodnm was enthusiastic in his Of
fers of rewards to Abram, but the latter would
accept nothilg g but what his men had already
eaten and the portions of three of his follow
ers, Amer. Eschol and Mamre. At this time
Abram was nearly ninety years Of age and
childIess. God called upon him to look at the
countless stars, and promised that his seed
should equal them in number.
Abram made the sacrifices was command
ed, and faithfully guarded them from the birds
of prey that would perhaps have devoured
them. The separating of animals and laying
one half of each body upon either side of
pathway, may seem odd, and even ridiculous
but it was the way God comman anded, and taught
the lesson then, just as the lesson is taught now
that the simplest means are often used to praise
and glorify the name of the Father, and that
we not 10 question the character of the SER
vice. God had prophetic vision in store for
Abram in that he was to learn of the bondage
of his people in the land of the Arorites, and
their ultimate deliverance.
These children were, by their suffering, to
work out the glory of God, and He promised
Abram that the right should triumph, and that
Abram should go to his fathers in peace. True,
it was to take three generations TO make the
iniquity of the Amolites full, but the suffer1ngs
OF Abrams people were TO glorffy the Father
at the last, The lesson we get is that no matter
how humble the service, no matter how ridicu-
lous the appearance of the service, we are to en-
gage in il uncomplaningly, and trust fully, per-
fectly in the Father for the entire of the
effort.
The Lord gave Abram a sign of his approval,
and made a covenant with him that his de-
scendants should possess the land from the riv
er of Egypt unto the Euphrates. The picture
of the service of Abram, the accomplishing,
unselfish devotion, and the reward following,
is an encouraging one for us. If we serve him
faithfully, he will keep us, supply our necessi-
ties, and give us to understand the way that
leads to eternal life and Joy. To be faithful
as Abram, should be the aim of every Sunday
School scholar. To trust the Lord fully at all
times should be the determination of every
man and every woman who has anxiety to
be saved from sin. Remember Gods goodness
to Abram, and Abrams faithful service to God.
make the life reflection of His goodness and
mercy,